The Mission

 

The mission of the Alliance Française of Providence is to promote the French and Francophone culture and language in the State of Rhode Island and to establish and nurture ties of friendship with our American friends. We are a French cultural center that has been serving the Providence community as the premier provider of French language and culture since 1901.

 

The Organization

 

The Alliance Française of Providence was created in 1901 as the third chapter in North America. It is a cultural and educational independent non-profit Rhode Island corporation governed by a volunteer French-American Board of 18 Directors. The Providence chapter does not receive any funds from the French government and supports itself with its Language Center, the dues paid by its members and its continuing fundraising efforts. In 1982, the Alliance received a 501c3 certificate from the Federal government so therefore all donations are tax deductible. The Alliance of Providence is proud to count more than 250 members and, through its social media accounts, reaches 2,500 friends who attend its cultural and social events throughout the year.

 

An International Network

 

The Alliance Française was founded in 1883 by a group of eminent men including the scientist Louis Pasteur, Ferdinand de Lesseps (creator of the Suez Canal), writers Jules Verne and Ernest Renan, and publisher Armand Colin. With more than 800 chapters established in 136 countries, it is the largest network of French language and cultural centers in the world. The network is headed by the Fondation Alliance Française based on Boulevard Raspail in Paris. The Fondation is represented in the United States by the Delegation of Alliance Française based in Washington D.C. The 104 Alliances Françaises in the U.S. have formed a Federation of Alliances Françaises which organizes a national convention every year in a different American city.

 

A State League

 

Since 2007, the Alliance of Providence has joined forces with other French-Speaking organizations in Rhode Island to further promote the French language and cultural heritage, including: The Museum of Work and Culture, The American Association of Teachers of French, the French-American School, and the Alliance Française of Newport. The League organizes several events in March, also known as the month of the French-Speaking World: the Francofête, the Flag Raising Ceremony at the State House, Cine Quebec, and Bonjour Printemps among others.